ive got clearance to buy a new bike from SWMBO, and ive got it narrowed down to a couple, mainly a ural, and a new dyna

i want to love the ural, but am going to test ride to see if its something that hooks me. it will be my sole mode of transport, so the maintenance schedule kinda worries me. im a mechanic, i work on old cars all day, dont want to spend the evenings wrenching too. i like my vehicles to be more gas, oil, and go type.

1992 r100gs.... lemon, rode it 5000 miles
2005 vstrom 650.....i didnt get along with, too high strung, rode it 3500 miles
1986 bmw r80, loved it, it went south, wife said no more $$ into it. loved that one, rode about 7000 miles
2013 triumph bonneville..... back crippling rear suspension, rode about 6500 miles
2012 vstrom 650..... much better than the 05, but still just not quite right for me, current odometer of 6400

new bike is going to happen about june.

eta: i also bought a 1982 r65, that a friend wanted to buy, so i sold it. and a 1999 ttr250 to try out some desert riding, alas, im not quite cut out for dirtbiking anymore after taking a 15 year break.

Im thinking a Ural may not be for you...they do require a bit of regular maintenance. Kind of like love and care... The are very simple and basic machines, even with the new FI. They are fun, quirky and very very unique. Owning one is nothing like owning any other motorcycle.

ive got clearance to buy a new bike from SWMBO, and ive got it narrowed down to a couple, mainly a ural, and a new dyna

i want to love the ural, but am going to test ride to see if its something that hooks me. it will be my sole mode of transport, so the maintenance schedule kinda worries me. im a mechanic, i work on old cars all day, dont want to spend the evenings wrenching too. i like my vehicles to be more gas, oil, and go type.

I am seriously considering going to the event in Roseville. I wanted to comment about the Dyna. I had a 2003 FXDX- their "Sport" model. At the time I also had a BMW R100GS and had recently purchased a R1200GSA. I thought I would never sell any of them.

I sold the Harley but loved it for the engine and overall quality. Amongst the Harley crowd you are the oddball if you don't modify your ride. I was able to easily build a dynoed 100hp 105lb/ft torque at the rear wheel engine. It didn't leak a drop of oil, started immediately, and never broke or gave me any trouble while I owned it. It was also obnoxiously loud in order to make that kind of power and it handled terribly with little ground clearance. I wouldn't get another one but only because my preferences run a different direction but I think they are great bikes.

I saw the big huge clusterfudge of a thread bashing them here, but didn't want to post there as it seems to have died months back. The thread talks about how unbelievably unreliable they are out the door and what pieces of crap they are, yet many people say they are not at all like that.

With all the improvements on the new 2014's do you folks think they will be unreliable pieces of equipment? I see it as an adventure motorcycle, but a adventure motorcycle needs to be reliable enough for an adventure.

I saw the big huge clusterfudge of a thread bashing them here, but didn't want to post there as it seems to have died months back. The thread talks about how unbelievably unreliable they are out the door and what pieces of crap they are, yet many people say they are not at all like that.

With all the improvements on the new 2014's do you folks think they will be unreliable pieces of equipment? I see it as an adventure motorcycle, but a adventure motorcycle needs to be reliable enough for an adventure.

I've only had mine for 14 months and 12,470 kms with no problems (knock on wood) except for the possible cracked rim recall so I can't say too much.

I saw the big huge clusterfudge of a thread bashing them here, but didn't want to post there as it seems to have died months back. The thread talks about how unbelievably unreliable they are out the door and what pieces of crap they are, yet many people say they are not at all like that.

With all the improvements on the new 2014's do you folks think they will be unreliable pieces of equipment? I see it as an adventure motorcycle, but a adventure motorcycle needs to be reliable enough for an adventure.

My 4 year old '09 Ural has covered 107,000km all over south east Oz, and I am getting it ready for a 5,000km adventure ride next month. My '10 Ural has clocked up 41,000km. With a bit of regular TLC these bikes are good for anything.

I CAN SAY, Urals are fun. No matter the year, no matter the condition.
For some reason even doing the regular need for basic up keep TO the full dead stop along side the rd has it rewards. They are very fixable & w/ basic knowledge of hand tools a rider can dive in & learn along the way. I take a lot of notes….

The real thing that keeps Ural growing is the support found in groups like Soviet Steed & Iron Horse & there are others too. These guys really take alot of the risk out of owning a Ural. Personally I don't trust the so called wonderful warranty nor the selection process of who gets coverage or not.

Where as the members/owners of Urals will & do come to help each other.

Demo rides at Ural Holopaw,FL March 16th and also now March 17th.
I hope to be there on the 17th. He has two 2014's in stock or did anyway.http://holopawural.com/

From Gene at Ural in Holopaw,FL
"IT SEEMS AS IF EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT ONCE. WE HAVE SIDECAR DAY AT DAYTONA FLEA MARKET THURSDAY MARCH 13th ( TOMOKA FARM RD JUST SOUTH OF HWY 92 ). HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU THERE. IMZ IS HAVING DEMO RIDES SUNDAY AFTERNOON & MONDAY ALL DAY ( MARCH 16th & 17th ) IF BIKE WEEK HAS NOT USED YOU ALL UP COME ON BY FOR A RIDE GENE FROM HOLOPAW"